Kentucky Derby winner to visit Derby Museum

The Kentucky Derby is still two months away, but it's already bringing in one of the most popular stars of the one-day event.

He's a fan favorite, he made national headlines and a movie is set to be released about him.

It's not a Hollywood star, but 2009 Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird.

"He's the little guys horse. He's a little horse anyway, but to have a long shot, the second largest long shot in history to win the Kentucky Derby at 50-1 odds. He was so far behind, the announcer lost track of him and was like, 'Who's coming up on the rail? Well it's Calvin Borel, but who's the horse?'" said Kentucky Derby Museum spokeswoman Wendy Treinen.

Mine That Bird became a Derby winner favorite, with an underdog story movies are made of. An upcoming movie, called "50-1," is due to be released.

"A lot of fans won a lot of money on this horse," said Treinen.

The Kentucky Derby Museum asked if Mine That Bird could leave his home in New Mexico and come back for a timely visit and his owners agreed.

"We're thrilled to have a Kentucky Derby winner right here on property from April 15 through the spring meet. We expect him to stick around with us a little bit after the Fourth of July," said Treinen.

Mine That Bird will stay in the garden area of the Kentucky Derby Museum, where other winners have stayed. Fans will be able to come up to the double rail free, with no admission to the museum needed.

"He'll come right up to the rail for photo-ops. He's a very fan friendly horse and he has a really nice nature about him," said Treinen. "We hope that lots of people come show this horse some love because he's been on a little ranch in New Mexico and now we're sharing him at the height of Derby history," said Treinen.

One of the requests by the owners of Mine That Bird is that he have company while he is here visiting the Derby Museum. That's where Winston will fit the bill. He has been at the Derby Museum for 17 years, so when fans see Mind That Bird, Winston will be along side him.

Mind That Bird retired in 2010 and has been stabled in New Mexico with one of his co-owners.

After the Kentucky Derby, he went onto run second in the Preakness Stakes and third in the last leg of the Triple Crown, the Belmont Stakes.

Mine That Bird is also a gelding, which means he can't be put up for stud.

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